Family’s anger at ‘suicide’ man’s, Noel Slattery, care

THE family of a man suffering from schizophrenia, who was found hanged in his Camden Town flat just weeks after surviving an overdose, have criticised mental health carers.
Noel Slattery, 71, was discovered at his home in Pratt Street in October, less than six weeks after he was rushed to University College Hospital ­following an overdose  of medication.
St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday that Mr Slattery was seen twice by Gospel Oak mental health workers, of the Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, in the month before his death, but was not regarded as being a suicide risk.
But in the weeks before his death, relatives became concerned about his mental well-being.
A draft report written by Chris Lee, the ­manager of Gospel Oak community mental health team, found there was evidence that a serious suicide attempt was “likely”.
Mr Lee told the court there had been an unfortunate “omission” by the team in not discussing Mr Slattery’s intentions when he took the overdose. Speaking outside the court, Sylvester Bone, Mr Slattery’s step-father-in-law, said: “His intentions should have been talked about in more detail. They missed an opportunity.”
Recording an open ­verdict, coroner Gail Elliman said she couldn’t be sure Mr Slattery intended to take his own life.
JOSIE HINTON